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Michigan involved in student COVID program

MARQUETTE — The National Governors Association will collaborate with Michigan and five other states on strategies for equitably meeting the social-emotional needs of students and families during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced.

The NGA Center for Best Practices said it has selected the six states for technical assistance from its staff and national and state partners, as well as grant support to develop and carry out action plans focused on one or more specific state policy priorities related to students’ social and emotional development during and beyond the pandemic.  

Additionally, governors’ offices will engage with and learn from peers and national and state experts to advance their policy priorities.  

Michigan’s project is centered on informing and implementing recommendations from Whitmer’s cross-agency, the Student Recovery Advisory Council, which is identifying strategies for Michigan to ensure students have the tools and resources they need to get back on track. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on all Michiganders, especially our young people. As we continue to reopen school buildings and vaccinate more people every day, we need a comprehensive recovery plan to support students’ academic and social emotional needs,” Whitmer said in a statement. “This partnership with the National Governors Association will strengthen our efforts to support each and every young person in a comprehensive recovery.” 

The initiative comes as students and their families confront fear, anxiety, trauma, isolation and stress during COVID-19, as well as growing public concern about economic instability and persistent racial inequities, according to Whitmer’s office. Governors have increasingly emphasized and prioritized the importance of addressing the holistic needs of students as schools reopen.   

Her office also acknowledged that the rapid shift to remote learning brought on by widespread school closures in the spring of 2020 amplified the importance of creating positive and equitable learning environments; building and sustaining strong relationships and engagement among students, their peers and teachers; and meeting the unique needs of all students, including students with disabilities, English learners and those experiencing homelessness. 

At the same time, the pandemic has also highlighted the need for comprehensive whole child approaches to education grounded in the science of learning and development, including support strategies such as community schools; wraparound services; and parent, family, student and community engagement. 

NGA’s work with the six states will run through March 2022. 

NMU updates numbers

According to the latest numbers found on Northern Michigan University’s reporting dashboard at www.nmu.edu/safe-on-campus/, there are 14 active COVID-19 cases — eight off-campus students, five on-campus students and one employee as of Thursday — for a 0.21% positivity rate.

From Jan. 4 through Thursday, NMU has had 88 positive cases for a 1.35% positivity rate. These have involved 50 off-campus students, 28 on-campus students and 10 employees.

Local bakery temporarily closed

The BabyCakes Muffin Company, located at 223 W. Washington St., Marquette, announced on Facebook that it will be closed until Monday due to a potential employee COVID-19 exposure.

“We apologize for the inconvenience, but only hope to keep our employees and loyal customers safe and healthy during this time,” it said in a Facebook post.

Easter desserts, pastries and macarons are available at Huron Mountain Bakery, 1301 S. Front St., Marquette.

Concert being organized

Margaret Brumm of Marquette is organizing a concert for the residents of Mission Point Nursing and Physical Rehabilitation Center at 435 Stoneville Road in Ishpeming for 2 p.m. Sunday.

The purpose is to entertain residents who have been isolated from loved ones until just recently.

Anyone who plays an instrument and/or sings is asked to RSVP Brumm at 331-444-8497. There is no age requirement or limitation to play.

Tax information detailed

The Michigan Department of Treasury has posted a notice for taxpayers related to the treatment of unemployment compensation for tax year 2020.

The federal American Rescue Plan Act excludes unemployment benefits up to $10,200 from income for tax year 2020 for those within certain income brackets, providing tax relief on both federal and state income taxes. Taxpayers who may have anticipated owing taxes may now be entitled to a refund.

“If you have already filed your tax return, please wait to file an amended return to receive the American Rescue Plan Act benefits,” state Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said in a statement. “The IRS will be adjusting received returns and begin processing them in May without the need for taxpayers to file an amended federal return. States are awaiting guidance from the IRS as to whether they can provide us with the information we would need to do a similar calculation at the state level.

“This would alleviate the need to file an amended state return. We appreciate taxpayers’ patience as we work through this.”

There is no need for taxpayers to file an amended federal return unless the calculations make the taxpayer newly eligible for additional federal credits and deductions not already included on the original tax return.

The notice also includes information related to total household resources and household income for the purposes of various tax credits.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.

Printed tax forms were distributed and are available in limited quantities at public libraries, some Upper Peninsula post offices, MDHHS county offices and treasury field offices.

All individual income tax returns must be received by 11:59 p.m. May 17.

For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income tax filing season are the same as the Internal Revenue Service.

Taxpayers with questions about their state income taxes are encouraged to use Treasury eServices. The online platform enables taxpayers to ask state income tax-related questions when convenient and avoids waiting for a state Treasury Department customer service representative to answer your call.

To get started with Treasury eServices, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax and click on “eServices Individual Income Tax.”

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